The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-13
Frightful Increase in the Number of ANA
Suffering Inflicted Upon the Public.
Great Gathering of Jewish Beauty and
Wealth at the Annual Purim Ball.
A New and Not Unreasonable Freak of Fashion
"A Kaffe-Klatch, with Mathematical
Average of the Talk of Participants.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 70 the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW York, March 12-Once upon time it
was called the manly art Of self-defense." but
it is no longer entitled to that masculine adiect-
i've, for the girl of the period boxes. At least,
she is learning to, and she may soon be able to
knock out with her little fists whoever refuses
to succumb to her smiles and glances. She has
learned to fence, and to bowl, and to bet at the
horse RACES, and then she sat down and cried for
more masculine worlds to conquer As boxing
was about the only one she didn't think herself
mistress Of already, she concluded she would
take that with rush. AS the quickest way OF
accomplishing her desire, she is taking lessons of
Billy Edwards and expects to be an expert pugil-
ist in week or two. He does not take them in
bevies, but separately, at the residence of each
pupil.
II take these pupils just to keep in good train
myself" he. said in answer to a question AS to
how many helhas, ''and don't want any more
than will give me exercise enough to keep me IN
good order. don't like to give more than one
lesson day. although I sometimes give two.
I've just now come from giving lesson to a lit
tie girl ten or twelve years old. She is the
daughter of wealthy parents, and they are hav-
ing her take boxing lessons on account Of her
health.
els that the motive that inspires most of your
pupils~ asked.
NO. they have good many different motives.
Those from the wealthy, leisure classes-and
have d number Of these-learn to box for the
sake of the exercise, or because they want to
know how. Then have some theatrical ladies.
who go into il matter OF business. They
learn to box because it will make them more
graceful, and because, as matter of business.
it will be profitable"
What do you think of boxing as means Of
exercise for women!'
"Unquestonably, it is the very best that a
man or woman, either can take"
Better than f5sing"
A great deal better than fencing. because it
develops onIy tie right side of the body. while
boxing brings into play every muscle from the
toes to the brain; for you have to keep on the
alert, with your eyes your opponent, and
your thoughts concentrated, so that your brain,
as well your body, gets stirred up"
''What kind of pupils do you find the. girls
Do they learn as easily as meng"
Il find them quite apt but they do not learn
as quickly as men, because it hasn't been bred
into them. Blows come kind of natural to men
| you know, but girls have never had any thing OF
this kind before, and so it takes them longer te
| learn"
(Which do they learn quickest. to guard o,
| attack
"Wel, generally find that my pupils are
| They are not SO quick about guarding but at
] y d.
| then, there isn't much to boxing, yway. Yor
teach them how to lead out, and stop, and afte,
that they get the hang of that once that's abou
ali there is to it, except to keep up the practice
It's the constant practice that makes perfect
"Of course, You soft gloves with your cir
pupils9"
mo; for the most part. we don't use any, be
| cause don't intend to hit them hard, but jus
barely touch them. And if they do get littl,
tap on the cheek it just hardens the flesh"
'How long can the average girl stand up to
| bout with youl'
''Oh, that depends on how severe am. If
go about it very gently they can keep up for al
hour or more. but if / am little bit sever,
they will be winded in quarter of that time
The dress worn by these fair New Yorkers il
their contests with this very pleasant and mild
hammered gentleman is not always the same
thing Some take their boxing lesson in thei
ordinary dress. but that puts them to great dis
advantage Some use sort of bathing dress
| with blouse aud knee-skirt, and others adop
the fencing costume = jersey and Turkisl
! trousers.
Readings are more intellectual diversion TO
| w 1aea az nj
ers of endurance. The number of amateur elo
cutionsts is frightfully increased. and womel
with little or no ability to read for entertainment
have gone at it remorseessy Their profession
are charitable They choose some philan thropi
institution to benefit. have pretty tickets print
ed, and then make carriage rounds of their mas
culine acquaintances to sell the cards at dolla
apiece If purchase were the end Of the ma,
ter it would cause little suffering for the victim
are generally rich; but attendance is too cfte
essential, lest the fair reciter take offense, an
so it may safely be assumed that the most so
emn of our lenten assem- blages are those whic
face the amateur readers with grim resolve t
seem amused. Some Of the elocutionists 60 t
the extreme Of propriety, too, in the selection Q
pieces and minutely rhymed accounts of disas
sers to blush at are cooly declaimed by favorite
of delicate fashion. With the other arts Of th
stage which our girls Of the parlor platform tr
to acquire is that of responding In collapse OF a
encore. You have seer distinguished actresse
do it. After the curtain has fallen on scene RI
quiring no exhaustive expenditure of breath, an
scarcely any action, she weavily comes forwar
gasping and staggering, clutehins for supper
and altogether helpless. That wss part of he
role, and the society actress attempts it elal
orately.